Black Women For Wellness

What Black Women For Wellness does

Black Women for Wellness (BWW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 in Los Angeles, California, and converted to formal nonprofit status in 1997. The organization operates a multi-program advocacy and health-education platform targeting Black women and girls in Los Angeles County and Northern California (Stockton and Joaquin Valley). Its work spans the intersection of reproductive justice, environmental justice, Black maternal and infant health, civic engagement, and beauty justice. The programmatic portfolio is structured as five core programs — Sisters@Eight (monthly advocacy roundtables), Sisters in Control Reproductive Justice (encompassing maternal/infant health, abortion access, sex education, and youth development), Sisters in Motion (wellness, nutrition, food distribution), Environmental Justice (addressing urban oil drilling, water equity, plastic pollution, and cosmetic chemical safety), and Civic Engagement (voter education and registration) — supported by an array of sub-brands including the Beauty Justice Initiative, Fierce Aunties, Empower 25, Kitchen Divas, and Rites of Passage.

The underlying technology and distribution architecture is community-led rather than software-native: programming is delivered through in-person workshops, monthly roundtables, an annual Reproductive Justice Conference (27th edition scheduled for August 2026), a second annual Beauty Justice Conference, a podcast (IJS), and a content library of publications, guides, and reports hosted on bwwla.org. The organization also operates twice-monthly fresh produce food distribution and direct civic engagement at scale (documented outreach of 64,000+ phone contacts, 643,000+ texts, and 23,000+ doors knocked).

Revenue is generated through tax-deductible donations, foundation grants (e.g., First 5 LA in 2024), membership dues via the ActBlue platform, and coalition partnerships. All programs and services are delivered free of charge to community members. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, led by Executive Director and founding member Janette Robinson Flint, and supported by an approximately 30-person staff. Research collaborations with Occidental College and Silent Spring Institute support the Beauty Justice Initiative, and policy partnerships (STAND-LA, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Expecting Justice) underpin the organization's regulatory advocacy, which has contributed to LA City and LA County oil drilling phase-out ordinances and a 2024 statewide victory against a $61 million Big Oil repeal effort.

Name

Black Women For Wellness

Legal name

Black Women for Wellness

Website

https://bwwla.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Black Women for Wellness is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 that delivers reproductive justice, environmental justice, maternal health, civic engagement, and beauty justice programs to Black women and girls in Los Angeles County and Northern California, funded by donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Advocacy

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (BPAGABAF), Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

Keywords

• Reproductive justice advocacy
• Community health education
• Maternal health support
• Environmental justice programs
• Civic engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles, California

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Black Women for Wellness operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations to fund its programs and operations.
2. Membership Dues: Organization offers membership options through ActBlue platform for ongoing supporter engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Black Women for Wellness is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers community-based health education, advocacy, and direct services to Black women and girls across reproductive justice, maternal and infant health, environmental justice, wellness/nutrition, and civic engagement. It runs a portfolio of distinct programs — including Sisters@Eight, Sisters in Control, Sisters in Motion, Environmental Justice, Civic Engagement, Breast Health, Beauty Justice, and youth initiatives — all offered free of charge to community members in Los Angeles County and Northern California.

Product overview

Black Women For Wellness operates as a multi-program advocacy and health education organization with a platform-plus-programs architecture. The core offering consists of five main program areas: Sisters@Eight (monthly advocacy roundtables), Sisters in Control Reproductive Justice (covering maternal health, abortion access, and sexual education), Sisters in Motion (wellness and nutrition), Environmental Justice (addressing toxic exposures and neighborhood drilling), and Civic Engagement (voter education). Under these umbrellas, the organization runs distinct sub-brands including the Beauty Justice Initiative, Breast Health Resources, Fierce Aunties campaign, Empower 25 voter registration drive, Kitchen Divas cooking program, and Rites of Passage youth education. The organization also convenes annual Reproductive Justice and Beauty Justice conferences. The portfolio spans health education, advocacy, community organizing, research, and policy work serving Black women and girls in Los Angeles County and Northern California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sisters in Control Reproductive Justice Program: Program supporting policies and programs to secure reproductive justice for women and girls
• Sisters in Motion
• Sisters@Eight
• Environmental Justice
• Civic Engagement
• Beauty Justice
• Fierce Aunties
• Empower 25
• Keep In Touch
• Get Smart B4U Get Sexy
• Grown and Sexy
• Rites of Passage

Products and services

• Sisters@Eight A monthly roundtable bringing information to health professionals, leadership, advocates and community to empower, mobilize, and organize toward advocacy. Forums are held monthly every 2nd Friday.
• Sisters in Control Reproductive Justice (SCRJ) Program Supports policy, programs, and collaborations with advisory councils, commissions, and boards to secure reproductive justice for women and girls. Includes sub-programs for maternal and infant health, sexual health education, and abortion access.
• Sisters in Motion Wellness program that works to decrease heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity through regular exercise, physical activity and movement. Includes Kitchen Divas, Body Matters and Movement, Food Distribution, Wellness Wednesdays, and Diabetes Prevention.
• Environmental Justice Program Engages and educates community members to influence local, state and national policies regulating chemical safety in cosmetics and personal care products, and addresses negative impacts of neighborhood drilling and climate change. Includes Built Environment and Beauty Justice initiatives.
• Civic Engagement Increases electoral and political power of Black women through voter education, registration and outreach during and between elections (VREAM campaign). Includes door-to-door canvassing, COVID projects, and redistricting outreach.
• Beauty Justice Initiative Dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of Black women and girls by addressing systemic inequities in the beauty industry. Advocates for regulating harmful chemicals in beauty products, educates about toxic exposures, and empowers informed choices. Includes Taking Stock research program.
• Breast Health Resources / Keep In Touch Program Dedicated to inspiring Black women to embrace and prioritize breast health through education, early detection, and community support. Includes annual bra paint parties and breast health education.
• Black Maternal and Infant Health Program Uses policy and program development to address high rates of Black maternal and infant mortality in Los Angeles County. Advocates for systemic changes recognizing how racism affects health outcomes. Includes Abundant Birth Project partnership and Black Joy Guide.
• Get Smart B4U Get Sexy Sex education program providing prevention and intervention resources to youth and young adults, particularly African American/Black females in foster care systems. Includes Teen Talk Foster Youth, Sex Speaks, Spring Into Love, and Reproductive Justice Training.
• Grown and Sexy Sexual health and education program for women over 40. Events held every 3rd Friday of the month covering topics including science of sex, arousal, aging, libido, mental health, and trauma.
• Rites of Passage (ROP) Free hybrid program for girls ages 14-19 engaging with Black women leaders through activities and workshops on social, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. Includes 12-week sessions (spring/fall) and 6-week summer sessions.
• Fierce Aunties Campaign Campaign engaging aunties in the reproductive justice movement to support safe and equitable sexual health services, abortions, and reproductive health care for loved ones. Includes housing justice advocacy and citywide billboard campaigns.
• Abortion Access Program Provides resources and advocacy for access to the full spectrum of reproductive and sexual health care, including abortion. Includes information on medication abortions, legal services, and partnerships with organizations providing abortion services in California.
• Empower 25 Campaign Campaign dedicated to registering 25,000 Black male voters by 2025 to build electoral power and involve Black men in reproductive justice discussions.
• Built Environment Initiative Addresses environmental burdens in Black and Brown communities including elimination of neighborhood oil drilling, water equity, reducing plastic pollution, and green social housing advocacy.
• Kitchen Divas Healthy cooking classes with professionally guided educational discussions and peer support. Works to reduce nutrition-related health risks through instruction on healthy cooking, preventive lifestyle practices, and physical activity.
• Annual Reproductive Justice Conference Annual conference convening to discuss reproductive health choices of women and girls. The 27th Annual Conference is scheduled for August 13, 2026 at The California Endowment in Los Angeles.
• Beauty Justice Conference Annual conference focused on protecting Black women's health in the beauty industry through advocacy, education, and policy change regarding toxic chemicals in beauty products.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ community members engaged during Black Maternal Health Week 2023
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Birthing ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994Founding partnership that launched BWW's origin. BWW started as a group of six women who teamed up with the Birthing Project as 'sisterfriends' to implement the Shangazi Program, matching pregnant women with mentors.
• STAND-LA (Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partnership focused on ending oil drilling across Los Angeles. BWW works with other community groups to protect health and safety of Angelenos harmed by urban oil extraction. The coalition successfully advocated for oil drilling phase-out ordinances at LA City and LA County.
• Occidental CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for community-based research on beauty and hair product chemical exposures. Collaborated on the Black Hair Care Survey and Taking Stock research program studying healthier choices in hair and personal care products.
• Silent Spring InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner conducting community-based research to understand chemical exposure problems and create solutions related to beauty products and reproductive health.
• Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBWW's Black Maternal and Infant Health Program is a Kindred Partner of BMMA, collaborating on addressing Black maternal and infant mortality.
• Los Angeles County African American Infant & Maternal Mortality Community Action TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBWW serves on the steering committee of this community action team working to address infant and maternal mortality disparities.
• Expecting JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBWW collaborates with Expecting Justice on the Abundant Birth Project, providing guaranteed income to pregnant individuals through unconditional cash payments.
• California Green New Deal CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBWW is a member of this coalition working to advocate for community-oriented solutions to the statewide housing crisis through green social housing.
• EJCAP (Environmental Justice Communities Against Plastic)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBWW is part of this California-wide coalition working to uplift concerns about plastic on the state, national, and global level.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Forward Together: National reproductive justice organization working on policy, advocacy, and narrative change for women and families of color. Comparable intersectional approach and community organizing methodology.
• Black Mamas Matter Alliance: National alliance coordinating Black maternal health advocacy and programming; BWW is a Kindred Partner. Direct peer on maternal health focus and policy advocacy, with broader coalition-building role.
• SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective: National reproductive justice organization led by women of color, with overlapping priorities on maternal health, abortion access, and policy advocacy. Most direct peer on reproductive justice framework and Black women-centered programming.
• California Black Women's Health Project: California-based nonprofit dedicated to improving Black women's health outcomes through education, advocacy, and community engagement. Shares BWW's California geography and Black women-centered health mission.
• Black Women's Health Imperative: National nonprofit dedicated to advancing health and wellness for Black women through advocacy, research, and programming. Directly comparable mission focus on Black women's health, with a broader national footprint versus BWW's California concentration.
• National Birth Equity Collaborative: National organization focused on eliminating Black maternal and infant mortality through research, advocacy, and community-based programming. Closely aligned with BWW's Black Maternal and Infant Health program and partnership work.
• In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda: National policy-focused coalition advancing Black women's reproductive justice agenda through legislative and advocacy work. Comparable in mission and the integration of civic engagement with reproductive health advocacy.
• Black Women Birthing Justice: Community-based collective addressing Black maternal and infant health through research, advocacy, and birth worker support. Directly comparable grassroots orientation and maternal health focus.
• Expecting Justice: Bay Area collaborative working to address Black maternal and infant health disparities; BWW collaborates with Expecting Justice on the Abundant Birth Project. Direct peer on California-focused Black maternal health advocacy.
• Center for Black Women's Wellness: Atlanta-based nonprofit providing health education, wellness programming, and advocacy for Black women. Closely aligned in mission and service delivery model, though operating in a different region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/bwwla
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzQEcnAMgNWpujB8J8SZK2w
• Facebookfacebook.com/BlackWomenforWellness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/black-women-for-wellness
• Instagraminstagram.com/bwwla

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black Women For Wellness